Instead of thinking of peace of mind as an end-result of completing a to-do list, we can make time right now to pause and breath and appreciate being alive and safe. We can practice being present to the smile of a baby, a hummingbird in flight, or the slowly changing colors of the sky at dusk.

Our mental landscapes are so populated with plans and goals to acquire or achieve
happiness that we miss the simple joys of the present moment. By leaning with anxiety into
the future, we fail to acknowledge the numerous opportunities to delight in the ordinary miracles that manifest daily around us.

We decided to practice simplicity for the month of December to counteract the culture of consumerism that is so prevalent during the holidays. Simplicity can be applied to every aspect of our lives, appreciating what we have instead of dwelling on what we might have. It doesn’t mean denying our basic needs, but to distinguish between our needs and our desires, which are quite different.

There’s a whole industry we call marketing whose sole purpose is to convince us that we’ll be healthier, safer, happier, and/or enjoy our lives more if we have this or that product. Of course there is nothing wrong with having and enjoying things. But when we depend on acquisitions as the source of our happiness, we end up in a relentless effort to acquire things that bring only temporary satisfaction, and leave us looking for more.

On the other hand, we can experience an innate source of contentment within that arises from a meditative practice that quiets all the desires in the mind. We can feel a natural joy from opening our hearts when we serve others, or offer something to a loved one instead of keeping it for ourselves. Giving, instead of getting, becomes the source of fulfillment and connection that we long for.

Sri Swami Satchidananda often cited simple living as a key element of spiritual life.   For example, he always encouraged us to maintain a diet consisting of whole foods, avoiding complex combinations and elaborate preparations. This saves energy in preparing and digesting our meals that can then be used for our service and spiritual practice.

Even our schedules can be simplified by avoiding the tendency to overfill our days with to-dos and multi-tasking at every turn. Focusing on one thing at a time enables us to give our wholehearted attention and helps us to sustain a meditative mind.

One of the most profound forms of simplifying our lives is accomplished by reflecting on what is truly important to us in the broadest sense. Identifying what we consider to be the overarching purpose for this life empowers us to choose very consciously how we use our time and energy.

In a culture where we are inundated with sensory attractions, endless forms of entertainment and empty promises of fulfillment, it is crucial for us to clarify this for ourselves if we are serious about living a spiritual life. Only then can we channel our energies in a way that is meaningful and supports us in awakening to our true nature.